Former Gambian Activist Regrets Opposing Jammeh

(JollofNews) – A former US-based Gambian pro-democracy activist who was a vocal critic of  the Gambian regime has expressed regret for his past activities against President Yahya Jammeh.
Falai Baldeh was member of many vocal organisations that were critical of Mr Jammeh. He gained prominence in September 2013 when he and a group of protesters barricaded Mr Jammeh’s hotel in New York while he was attending the UN General Assembly. During the protest, Mr Baldeh allegedly swore at Mr Jammeh and even fought with the country’s Ambassador to the UN, Momodou Tangara.
But since accepting Mr Jammeh’s amnesty that was offered to political prisoners and dessidents last July, Mr Baldeh who is currently in the Gambia has expressed regret for his critical stance against the regime.
“I definitely regretted opposing the Gambian leader President Jammeh while I was away in the US,” the pro-government Daily Observer newspaper quoted him saying at a political rally in Mariama Kunda, West Coast Region.
“I regretted it.  I will never repeat it and I will not encourage anyone one to do it. It was because of misleading information about the country and its leadership, but upon discovery of the truth, I regretted my actions.”
Mr Baldeh who is now a vocal critic of his former colleagues in the struggle to topple the Jammeh regime added: “I was in the US for 15 years opposing President Jammeh and his APRC government, but President Jammeh later forgave all those in the Diaspora including those opposing him and his government.
“President Jammeh extended an amnesty to all Gambians living abroad including myself and such is the rationale behind my return and I would urge the youths not to allow the opposition to abuse and exploit them for their self-interest.”